LABOUR councillor Kenny Spain has spoken of his pride at being elected the new mayor of Ellesmere Port and Neston.

And he has declared that the main focus during his term of office will be to campaign for education for autistic teens.

Cllr Spain was installed as first citizen at a ceremony in the Ellesmere Port Civic Hall.

He said: 'This really is the highlight of my life. I'm most certainly very proud and honoured.

'It never entered my head during my time as councillor that I'd become mayor.'

Cllr Spain is committed to providing an educational service for children with autism.

He said: 'When autistic children move on from junior school there isn't any provision for their further education near at hand. The nearest facility is in Northwich, which is almost 50 miles away.

'All autistic children deserve and should have the chance to be educated. They shouldn't be left to have a sub-standard place in society.'

He added: 'My project aims to try and get facilities nearer to our borough. I believe we should accommodate the young autistic people of our borough.

The new mayor is also supporting the Ellesmere Port Sea Cadet Corps, who are fundraising for a new headquarters, as well as Claire House Children's Hospice, on the Wirral.

He is also backing the good work that has been achieved at the OASIS Centre for Youth, on Coronation Road, which involves young people in basketball, five-a-side football, weightlifting, morris dancing and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Cllr Spain said: 'I've seen the plans for the sea cadets' new HQ and they look really good. They've been doing lots of fundraising but they need more help.

'It's a great organisation to belong to and provides youngsters with career opportunities. It's something that affects the whole borough.

'The work of Claire House goes largely unnoticed in the town but they help a lot of young children from the borough and deserve to be helped financially.

'The OASIS Centre does a hell of a lot for the kids and I'll be helping them to get money for sports events and for lighting and heating.'

He said: 'I came to the town in 1956 and it's a lot better now. The developments which have taken place in recent years have really transformed the area.

'I really hope the public will support me so that we can make more improvements because this borough is a wonderful place to live.'